Machine to cut or trim asphalt roads



July 4, 1939.

J. T. CLAMP 2,164,446

MACHINE TO CUT OR TRIM ASPHALT ROADS Filed May 27, 19558 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. T. CLAMP 2,164,446

MACHINE TO CUT OR TRIM ASPHALT ROADS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 4, 1939.

Filed May 27, 193B Patented July 4, 1939 iiUNI STATES MACHINE TO CUT OR TRIM ASPHALT .ROADS James T. Clamp, -Miami, Fla.

Application May 27, 1938, Serial-No. 210,474

5 Claims. (01. 262-8) My invention is a machine for trimming or cutting the edge of asphalt roads.

As is Well known, road beds are-now made by mixing in place or upon the road sand and as- ,5 phalt, with a suitable solvent. This asphalt and sand mix is properly spread-or leveled upon the road and is then rolled. It is'necessary to cut or trim the edges of the road bed thus produced. This trimming has heretofore been done by hand, and before the mix has'become completely hardened by the evaporation of the solvent, whereby the cuttingis rendered easier. As far 'as I am aware, .no wheeled machine has been used for this purpose, as a machine which would cut or trim the edge of the partly hardened road bed would be so heavy that it would damage or -mark the surface of the road bed. This hand trimming is time consuming and expensive.

In accordance with my invention, I have provideda cutting machine which ismounted upon the roller which is employed to roll the sand and asphalt mix, before the same has completely hardened. This machine is so constructed that its cutter may be shifted to an elevation above the surface of the road bed, and after the surface has been properly rolled by the roller, the machine is adjusted to bring the cutter into engagement with the road bed to cut or trim the edge of the same. My machine will cut or triln theedge in a straight line, and the cutting is accomplished quickly thereby effecting considerable saving in the cost of trimming. The presence of my machine applied to the roller does not interfere with the normal action of the roller in rolling theroad bed, and the rollermay be employed to propel my machine, without scarring or injuring the surface of the road bed.

In the accompanying drawings forming. a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like partsthroughout the same: I

Figure 1 is aside elevation of atrimming machine embodying. my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, Figure 3 is an end elevation of the'same, and,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same. In the drawings wherein for the-purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodimentof .my invention, the numeral l0 designates a powerdriven roller as a whole. This roller is prefing the front wheel is not shown, as the- -construction of such-rollers is -W8113kI1OWI1.

The ''machine embodying my invention comprises :agenerally horizontal vertically. swinging frame l5. This frame .isgenerally-triangular 5 and comprises a beam I 6, preferably formed of an angle iron, the-horizontal web-of which-:is cut awayrat l1, providing a vertical web-extension l'8, which is pivotally mounted upon-the side of the frame I 2, spaced -frzom the flanges io l3 and l4,-by means \of'a'bo1t'rl9. 'Theframerlli further includes a diagonal beamvill, ppreferably formed of-two assembledsanglerirons 2| :and

respect to the flanges l3 and M, as shown in connection with the vertical web extension 18, Figure 1. The opposite ends of the angle irons 2| and 22 overlap the rear end of the-angleiron. 30 I6, and the horizontal webs of the angle irons 2| and 22 are arranged upon the horizontal web of the angle iron l6 and are welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. The vertical web of -the angle iron-22 may terminate at the vertical web '35 of the angle iron l6 while the vertical web 'of the angle iron 2|,at its free end, is split from the. horizontal web and is bent-into alongitudinal extension 30, which may be welded t'o-the vertical web of the angle iron iii. A trangular 4O stifi" metal plate 3| is arranged beneath the beams I 6 and 20, at the rear endor apex of the triangular frame and is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the horizontal webs of these beams. This triangular plate 3| has its rear apex extending rearwardly beyond the frame 15. This triangular plate serves as an extension for the triangular frame 15. The trangular frame, with the transverse end of the frame l2, produces a triangular structure, :having its .side -or base extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the roller and its direction of'travel. The arrangement is strong and is rigid-against longitudinal and :lateral displacements. The triangular frame 15 is adapted to be raised and lowered, by a swinging movement.

Means are provided to raise and lower the frame l5, comprising a relatively stationary supporting structure or support. This supporting structure comprises a main vertical post or upright 32, preferably formed of two assembled angle irons 33, having corresponding webs 34 arranged in engagement with a vertical plate '35, to which they are welded or otherwise secured. Lower horizontal beams 36 and 31, preferably formed of angle irons, converge rearwardly, and have their rear ends rigidly secured to the opposite sides of the angle irons 33 of the vertical post, by welding or the like. Upper inclined rearwardly converging beams 38 and 39 have their ends rigidly secured to the opposite sides of the angle irons 33 by welding or the like. The forward ends of the beams 36 and 31 are rigidly secured to the lower flange I 4 of the frame l2 by bolts 4|, and the rear ends of the beams 38 and 39 are secured to the upper flange l3 by the bolts 4|. The numeral 42 designates an intermediate brace, formed of an angle iron or the like and this brace inclines upwardly in a rearwardly direction. The rear end of this brace enters the vertical post 32 and engages the webs 34 and may be secured thereto by weld ing and also by means of bolts 43. The forward end of the intermediate inclined brace 42 is secured to the horizontal web I4 by bolts 44 or the like. A second intermediate brace 45 is provided, which inclines upwardly in a rearward direction and also laterally toward the side of the roller. The brace 45 is preferably formed of an angle iron, the forward end 46 of which may be welded to the plate 35, at its lower end, and also secured thereto by the bolts 43. At its upper end, the brace 45 has a bearing 46' secured thereto by bolts 41 or the like.

Rigidly mounted upon one side of the post 32, by any suitable means, and preferably beneath the upper end of the brace 38 is gearing 48, comprising a horizontal worm 49 engaging and driving a vertical worm wheel 50, rigidly mounted upon a horizontal shaft 5|, to turn the same. The shaft 5! has a crank or arm 52 rigidly mounted thereon. The worm 49 is formed upon a horizontal shaft 53, the rear end of which is journaled in the bearing 46 and carries a hand wheel 54. Pivotally connected with the rear end of the crank or arm 5!, at 55 is a depending link 56, pivotally connected at its lower end as at 51, with vertical plates 58 and 59, in turn secured to beams It at its rear end by a bolt 60 or other suitable means.

The triangular plate 3| has its rear end or apex preferably inclined upwardly slightly in a longi tudinal direction and also in a transverse direction and an arm 6| is rigidly secured thereto by bolts 62 or the lke. This arm is equipped with a sleeve or bearing 63, rotatably receiving the shaft 64 of a rotary cutter 65, whch is circular and of the plow disk type. The arrangement is such that the face or surface of the disk cutter is preferably disposed at an angl of 11 10 with respect to the vertical and 21 with respect to the horizontal or longitudinal axis of the roller or the axis parallel to the direction of travel of the roll-- er. The disk cutter converges forwardly with respect to the frame l5, as shown. The disk cutter is rotatable with respect to the bearing 63, as is obvious.

In operation, the sand and asphalt with the suitable solvent may be mixed upon the road and after being suitably laid or spread thereon, the

roller Ill is employed to roll the surface. During the first of this rolling action, the rotary disk cutter 65 is held at an elevation above the road bed so that it will not cut the surface being laid. This is effected by turning the hand wheel 54, which operates through the gearing 48, to swing arm 52 upwardly, elevating link 56, and swinging frame 15 upwardly. After the rolling has reached a desired stage at which the edge of the surface or road bed should be trimmed, the hand wheel 54 is turned to lower the frame i5, and the rotary disk cutter 65 is moved downwardly to a proper lowered elevation, and will cut through the road bed, at the edge thereof, by driving the roller along the road bed, at the edge thereof, the rotary disk cutter may trim the edge in a straight line, or in a curved line at curves in the road. The cutter will trim the edge evenly and quickly, and since the cutting machine is applied to the roller, there is no separate support engaging the road bed which would mar or injure the same. By having the diagonal side of the supporting frame arranged rearmost, as shown, a space is provided for the operator walking upon the road bed. The construction is also strong against lateral strain and shortens up the attachment. The operator is enabled to walk near the disc cutter 65 inwardly of the same and may look down upon the same to accurately observe the work being cut. The hand wheel 54 is located near and upon the inner side of the disc cutter in convenient reach of the operator.

While I have shown my machine as applied to and supported by a roller, the invention is not necessarily restricted to this arrangement, as the machine may be mounted on other supporting means. The machine may also be used for trimming old road beds.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine for trimming a road bed, the combination with a wheeled support, of a generally horizontal triangular supporting frame arranged at the rear end of the wheeled support and pivotally connected therewith to swing vertically and having its base arranged adjacent to one side of the wheeled support, a rotary disk cutter disposed near and outwardly of the base of the supporting frame, means to mount the disk cutter upon the supporting frame, a relatively stationary supporting structure including an upstanding post arranged rearwardly of the wheeled frame, lower rearwardly converging beams secured to the lower end of the post and to the rear end of the wheeled support, upper rearwardly and upwardly converging beams secured to the upper end of the post and to the end of the wheeled support, an intermediate brace inclined upwardly in a rearward direction and secured to the lower portion of the post and to the rear end of the wheeled frame, gearing mounted upon the post, means connecting the gearing and the vertically swinging supporting frame, and means to operate the gearing.

2. In a machine for trimming a road bed, the combination with a wheeled support, of a generally horizontal triangular supporting frame arranged at the rear end of the wheeled support and pivotally connected therewith to swing vertically and having its base arranged adjacent to one side of the wheeled support, a rotary disk cutter disposed near and outwardly of the base of the supporting frame, means to mount the disk cutter upon the supporting frame, a relatively stationary supporting structure including an upstanding post arranged rearwardly of the wheeled frame, lower rearwardly converging beams secured to the lower end of the post and to the rear end of the wheeled support, upper rearwardly and upwardly converging beams secured to the upper end of the post and to the end of the Wheeled support, an intermediate brace inclined upwardly in a rearward direction and secured to the lower portion of the post and to the rear end of the wheeled support, gearing mounted upon the post, a crank driven by the gearing, a link pivotally connecting the crank and the supporting frame, a rearwardly extending shaft to operate the gearing, an upwardly inclined brace secured to the lower portion of the post and having a bearing receiving the rear end of the shaft, and a wheel mounted upon the shaft to turn it.

3. In a machine for trimming a road bed, the combination with a wheeled support, of a generally horizontal triangular supporting frame arranged at and extending beyond one end of the wheeled support and pivotally connected with the wheeled support to swing generally vertically, the triangular supporting frame having its base arranged adjacent to one side of the wheeled support and its diagonal side remote from the rear end of the wheeled support, a rotary disk cutter disposed near and outwardly of the base of the triangular supporting frame and mounted upon the supporting frame, the rotary disk cutter being rotated only by engagement with the road while moving with the wheeled support, the disk cutter being inclined horizontally in a forward direction toward the road bed and also inclined vertically in a downward direction from the road bed and adjustable means to lower the supporting frame and to positively hold the same in the lowered adjusted position against upward movement, said adjusting means including a manually operated element disposed near the diagonal side.

4. In a machine for trimming a road bed, the I combination with a wheeled support, of a generally horizontal triangular supporting frame extending beyond one end of the wheeled support and pivotally connected with the wheeled support to swing generally vertically, the triangular supporting frame having its base arranged adjacent to one side of the wheeled support and its diagonal side arranged remote from the rear end of the wheeled support, a rotary disk cutter mounted upon the triangular supporting frame and disposed near the base of the supporting frame, adjustable means to lower the supporting frame and to positively hold the same in the lowered adjusted position against upward movement, and a manually operated element to actuate the adjustable means and disposed near the dagonal side to be conveniently grasped by an operator walking on the road bed at the rear of the supporting frame.

5. In a machine for trimming a road bed, the combination with a wheeled support, of a generally horizontal supporting frame pivotally mounted upon the wheeled frame to swing generally vertically, a rotary disk cutter mounted upon the supporting frame, a relatively stationary supporting unit mounted upon the wheeled frame, a generally horizontal shaft extending near the rear end of the supporting frame, a worm driven by the shaft, a worm wheel mounted upon the supporting unit and engaging the worm, a vertically swinging arm moved by the worm wheel, a link pivotally connecting the arm element mounted upon the rear end of the shaft.

JAMES T. CLAMP. 

